Long before she entered the world of accounting, Alexie Tune, CPA, MAcc, was immersed in the rhythms and harmonies of music. As the 2025-26 COCPA Chair, she brings a unique background to the role, and is committed to advancing the Society’s mission in the coming year.
6 Connected Leadership: The Competitive Advantage of Well-Being
What if you could create a culture where well-being became your competitive advantage? Amy Vetter, CPA, says not only is it possible, it’s also the key to organizational survival and success.
10 Q&A with AICPA’s New CEO: What Mark Koziel Wants You to Know
This past January, Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, took the reins as CEO of the American Institute of CPAs and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. He shares what he’s most looking forward to as he moves the Association and the CPA profession into the future.
16 The Other Side of CPA: Bill Lajoie Creates Smiles and Community with Cookies and Caffeine
On any given Tuesday, you might see COCPA Life Member Bill Lajoie pushing a huge cart emblazoned with the Harley Davidson logo down the halls of Children’s Hospital, passing out treats to the dedicated doctors and nurses caring for Colorado’s sickest kids. He’s been creating smiles – and maybe a few caffeine jitters – for 22 years.
22 How AI Can Help Accountants Gain Efficiency: Three Practical Examples
While generative AI seems to be everywhere we look, many accountants may be uncertain about how AI fits into their roles and daily tasks. We explore common tools, capabilities, and practical examples of applications within the profession.
NEWSACCOUNT
A publication of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants
Vol. 71, No. 1 Summer 2025
Officers
Alexandra "Alexie" Tune, Chair Alexandria "Alex" Romero, Vice Chair Jim Gilbert, Treasurer
Tobias "Toby" Clary, Immediate Past Chair Alicia Gelinas, Secretary
Directors
Paul Elggren, Tiffany Knight, Dana Lambert, Patrick Lytle, Kevin Gibson, Lisa Kutcher, Hannah Thaw
Editorial Board
Isaac Adamu, Ken Fichter, Laura Theiss, Michael West, Charlie Wright
Kelli Davis, Editor
Sarah Knight, Blue Ocean Ideas, Design
NewsAccount (ISSN #10899952) is published quarterly by the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 500N, Glendale, CO 80246. NewsAccount is published in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall and reports information, news, and trends in the accounting profession. The Colorado Society of CPAs assumes no liability for readers’ business decisions in reference to advertisements or other information included in this publication. Links to external websites are provided for convenience and are not under the control of the COCPA. The inclusion of such links does not constitute an endorsement of the content or the views expressed therein.
Membership dues include a $2.00 one-year subscription to NewsAccount 303-773-2877 • 800-523-9082
Fax: 303-773-6344
COCPA LEADERSHIP
Alexie Tune: A Journey from Music to Accounting
BY NATALIE ROONEY
Alexie Tune, CPA, MAcc, has embarked on a new chapter as the 2025-26 Chair of the Colorado Society of CPAs (COCPA), where she brings a unique background to the role.
Long before she entered the world of accounting, Alexie Tune, CPA, MAcc, was immersed in the rhythms and harmonies of music. Growing up in Wyoming, she was a classically trained pianist. From a young age, she devoted countless hours to mastering the works of composers such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Brahms. Her classical training demanded precision and patience. Performing solo recitals and participating in competitions, Alexie learned the importance of preparation, resilience, and self motivation. In addition to classical music, Tune also recalls playing with a local Big Band whose repertoire featured classics such as “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Take the ‘A’ Train,” as well as crowd favorites like “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it Ain’t Got That Swing).”
The band played a wide variety of venues across the state, from county fairs and weddings to New Year’s Eve gigs. These New Year’s Eve performances were a highlight of each season, as the band played late into the night, ringing in the New Year with music, dancing, and celebration. The experience of performing with seasoned musicians, adapting to diverse audiences, and managing the excitement and pressure of live events not only honed her technical skills, but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for teamwork, discipline, and the joy of connecting with others through shared experiences.
CHANGING HER TUNE
Tune recalls that she was accepted to the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music with the intent of majoring in music. After two years, she saw that more long-term benefits were to be had from pursuing a different career path.
After taking an introduction to accounting course at Western Wyoming Community College during summer break, she discovered that she had a knack for accounting. But she didn’t jump into it right away. Her next foray was into the world of science, and she recalls making a decision between chemistry and accounting.
However, after a rather explosive lab experiment and a teaching assistant’s alarmed reaction – “You’re not a chemistry major, are you?” – the decision was made, and Tune went on to earn her master’s in accountancy at DU. She interned at Deloitte and has remained there ever since.
MUSIC-INSPIRED LIFE SKILLS
Tune’s musical experiences shaped her approach to both life and leadership. The blend of classical discipline and jazzinspired adaptability gave her the confidence to perform under pressure, the creativity to solve complex problems, and the collaborative mindset to bring out the best in those around her.
Her early musical adventures laid a strong foundation for the collaborative
NewsAccount is available online at www.cocpa.org
spirit, adaptability, and poise under pressure that would later define her leadership style and professional approach in the world of accounting.
The journey from the concert stage to the boardroom is a testament to Tune’s commitment to professional excellence and her distinctive leadership style. With almost 30 years of experience in the accounting profession, she currently leads Deloitte’s Denver Office Audit & Assurance Technology and Emerging Growth Practices, specializing in the technology, healthcare, and health technology industries.
As a leader, Tune is known for setting high standards for herself and her teams, much like preparing for a challenging piano piece or a high-stakes musical performance. She believes that excellence is not a destination, but a continuous pursuit – one that requires curiosity, resilience, and an openness to feedback. Her leadership is also characterized by a deep sense of empathy and inclusivity. Drawing on her experiences performing for a wide range of audiences, Tune understands the importance of connecting with people from all walks of life. She is adept at building trust, fostering collaboration, and inspiring confidence, both within her teams and across the broader professional community.
A COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION
Outside of her professional endeavors, She is deeply committed to education and has volunteered extensively in this realm over the years, believing in its power to open doors and create opportunities.
Growing up in a small town in Wyoming, Tune says that “education has always been a guiding force in my life” which has shaped her values and inspired her commitment to giving back. Her passion for expanding educational opportunities is evident in her longstanding volunteer work with organizations such as Open Learning, College Summit, Denver Scholarship Foundation, the University of Denver School of Accountancy Advisory Board, and the COCPA Educational Foundation. Her work with all of these organizations has allowed her
Top, Tune helps 13-year-old Colin practice the piano. Bottom, the Tune family visits the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver.
COCPA LEADERSHIP
to help provide scholarships and mentorship to students from diverse backgrounds, empowering them to pursue higher education and realize their full potential.
“I’ve seen firsthand how education can open doors and change lives,” she says. “It’s important to me that everyone, regardless of their background, has the chance to discover what’s possible for them.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As COCPA Chair, Tune is committed to advancing the Society’s mission and supporting its members as they navigate the accounting profession’s ever-changing landscape. She envisions a Society that is inclusive, innovative, and engaged – a vibrant community where every member feels empowered to lead, advocate, and grow.
Tune’s vision is rooted in the belief that the strength of the COCPA lies in its members’ collective expertise, diverse perspectives, and shared commitment to excellence. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued, and where members can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Recognizing the rapid changes facing the profession – from evolving technology to regulatory shifts – she sees the COCPA as a vital resource, helping members adapt and thrive.
Her priorities include strengthening member engagement through expanded networking opportunities and professional development
These shared experiences not only bring the family closer but also serve as a grounding force, reminding her of the importance of balance and the enduring value of relationships. CONTINUED FROM PAGE
programs. She is passionate about enhancing the Society’s advocacy efforts, ensuring that the voice of Colorado’s CPAs is heard on key issues affecting the profession at both the state and national levels.
Additionally, Tune is committed to promoting the enduring value of the CPA credential, championing its relevance in a dynamic business environment, and encouraging the next generation of leaders to pursue careers in accounting.
LIFE AT HOME
Tune and her family – her husband Cameron (a retired CPA and University of Denver alum) and 13-year-old twin sons Colin and Jackson – love spending time enjoying everything that Colorado has to offer, including family hikes, bike rides, and ski trips. While the family is always up for outdoor adventure, Tune admits to being a “reluctant camper,” preferring the comforts of home after a day in the mountains.
The family also stays connected to the University of Denver, frequently attending hockey games and staying connected to the Lamont School of Music, where Colin and Jackson are students in the Piano Preparatory Program.
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Connected Leadership: The Competitive Advantage of Well-Being
BY NATALIE ROONEY
What if you could create a culture where well-being became your competitive advantage? Amy Vetter, CPA, says not only is it possible, it’s also the key to organizational survival and success.
Amy Vetter understands CPAs, not only because she travels the country speaking to them, but because she is a CPA herself. It gives her a unique insight into how a CPA’s mind works – which is essentially on overdrive most of the time. So, when Vetter came up with a rather revolutionary concept that encouraged CPAs to slow down, hit the pause button, and focus on something other than financial targets, it’s possible that more than a few eyebrows went up.
But let’s take a step back for a moment and go back to the beginning, because Vetter’s own story was the proving ground for what would become The B³ Method: Business + Balance = Bliss, a framework proving that when people thrive, businesses thrive.
THE PATH TO A NEW WAY OF THINKING
Vetter’s accounting career began very traditionally in KPMG’s audit department before taking some very nontraditional turns. After several years in public accounting, she launched her own practice, offering client accounting services before that was ever a thing. “I was only 27 years old when I started that firm,” she marvels. “It’s crazy when I look back. They took advice from me!”
Out on her own and forging her own path, Vetter found a love for accounting software, seeing firsthand its power and the benefits to the small businesses she advised.
She merged her firm and became a partner in the new firm’s small business services area before launching out on her own again, this time with a national practice specializing in advising franchisees.
After she sold that practice, Vetter pursued new opportunities at Intuit, Sage Intacct, and Xero before once again going out on her own. This time, there was a twist: Over the years, Vetter had earned her Yoga Teacher Training certification, and after 20 years, she believed yoga and mindfulness could play a role in transforming the workplace for accountants to find more fulfillment in their work.
Today, as CEO of The B³ Method Institute, she has dedicated herself to helping organizations achieve measurable “Fulfillment ROI™” by creating cultures where well-being drives business success, and people achieve Work-Life Harmony®.
She has written three books while continuing to help clients put strategies together to transform their workplaces and discover that it’s possible to work 40-45 hours year round.
Because at her core Vetter is a CPA, her work is based on studies, including data from Gallup, showing that organizations that prioritize mental well-being see up to 21% higher profitability and 70% greater employee engagement while reducing burnout by 61%. That, Vetter says, proves that wellness isn’t just good for people, it’s good for business.
BECOMING A CONNECTED LEADER
Vetter was working with clients and giving presentations, including TEDx Talks, about the B3 Method® when she had a revelation: “I was giving people all of these ideas on time management and mindfulness, and how to really set boundaries, and people were always asking, ‘But how do I get there?’”
That quest to help people discover the “how to” led to her second book, Disconnect to Connect: Tap into the Power Within You to Create the Life You Desire. The book zeroes in on the concept of connected leadership – building genuine connections and collaboration, fostering strong relationships, and mutual growth within teams.
Connected leadership gets to the root of our belief systems and how they drive our habits and programming, Vetter explains. It requires a lot of internal work, which she recognizes can be challenging and uncomfortable.
“We can try to fix things at the surface level, but we need to really understand why we do what we do so that we can break through and as leaders, be better examples,” she says.
Amy Vetter, CPA
Take work-life balance for instance. If employees don’t see managers and partners exemplifying it, they won’t believe the words behind it. So, Vetter advises that leaders take a deep dive into understanding themselves so they can put their organizational policies into real-life action.
“What is the actual breakdown of why someone works so much?” she queries. Leaders need to ask themselves some important questions:
1. Why do I feel the need to please so much?
2. How can I step back from that and really identify what brings me joy and fulfillment now?
3. How do I better connect with each person individually?
4. What’s holding me back from doing that?
“When we understand these things about ourselves and combine that with others’ belief systems, we can identify the patterns of behavior that help us move forward,” Vetter says.
It all sounds like a lot of work. That’s because it is, Vetter says, but beyond that comfort zone where we sometimes coast is where the good stuff is – improved employee engagement and morale, increased productivity and creativity, enhanced trust and collaboration, and a stronger organizational culture.
But it’s critical for leaders to work through their own issues first, and then let the concepts filter down through the organization’s culture, Vetter emphasizes.
The firms that really believe in and invest in the process of connected leadership achieve “fulfillment ROI,” which creates well-being without sacrificing business rigor to create an optimized workplace.
“When people think about work-life balance and mindfulness, they automatically assume that also means business standards go out the door,” Vetter says. “It doesn’t mean that at all. There’s still rigor around KPIs and business, but there are a lot of statistics that show when people are happier at work, the business does so much better.”
THE RIGHT TIME IS ALL THE TIME
It may feel like there’s never a right time to take time out for yourself or your staff to address well-being, but Vetter contends that that’s probably when you need it most. It’s those established habits of ignoring well-being in crunch times that have created the reputation for which the profession is infamous.
“People are actually at their most productive when they can set boundaries, still see their friends and family, and have weekend days off,” she says. “These things are so important to workplace and individual happiness.”
“Your busiest times are when you need the most energy, time to recharge, and permission to set those boundaries,” Vetter adds. “The mindset of, ‘we can’t afford to do trainings or coaching now because we’re too busy’ – why are we saying that? It sends a message that our clients are more important than our employees’ well-being. In the end, clients are happier when employees are happier.”
MOVING THE NEEDLE
Change is hard, and Vetter knows it from her own experience. “It takes a lot of self reflection about our own habits that show up at work and home, and understanding our patterns of behavior,” she explains. “There are steps to take, but only if someone wants to change. You can’t just say you’ll do it. You have to make the effort. It takes time to shift our neural channels.”
Vetter says becoming a connected leader is like preparing to run a marathon. “There’s a training plan to prepare your body. It’s no different for training your brain. Put a plan together. Have a vision of what you want life to look like for yourself and how you want to feel.”
Vetter emphasizes the importance of repetition – hearing the concept over and over again until it takes root. “There’s a quote: ‘If you haven’t changed the habit, the pain isn’t great enough yet,’” she says. “Until you start feeling and noticing the pain and the effect of not making a shift, you’re not going to change.”
The pain from a shift could come from unhappy employees performing poorly or leaving the organization. Or it could appear as problems in your personal life. “We can keep blaming the outside world, or we can disconnect, be still, and work to understand
what’s coming up from us, what’s holding us back, and if we’re ready to change,” she says.
During her presentations, Vetter polls her audiences, asking reflective questions. Their anonymous answers help each attendee see they’re not alone. “These behaviors exemplify the human condition,” she says. “We tend to think it’s just us, but many of us are struggling with the same things.”
Vetter also freely shares her own story about the work she’s done herself, which led directly to Disconnect to Connect, and how her past generational stories kept repeating themselves, to her detriment. “I had to recognize what those behaviors were. Continuing to repeat a behavior because the last generation did it isn’t an excuse. How can we make that shift and not blame the outside world?”
AN INFLECTION POINT
Vetter says today’s young accounting professionals are sending a clear message: They don’t all value the partner track like their predecessors did. She coaches individuals at the manager level who are happy in their roles. “How do we retain these experienced people who don’t want to be a partner? Where can they learn and grow?” she questions.
It demonstrates the importance of transforming today’s accounting workplaces, which requires change at the leadership level.
“Leaders’ mindsets have to change, or you’ll never retain people,” Vetter emphasizes.
“Leaders need to demonstrate that change so that teams believe they have a future. Every single leader needs to take responsibility and decide where they want to be in five to 10 years. It takes work, but you just need to start the process.”
Amy Vetter, CPA, CITP, CGMA, MBA, is a transformative speaker, author, consultant, and podcast host. She is the CEO of The B3 Method Institute and B3 Yoga.
Amy Vetter will be a keynote speaker at PEAK – The Colorado Accounting and Finance Summit, Nov. 12-13 in Denver. Don’t miss this inaugural event, bringing together CPAs, financial leaders, and accounting professionals from across Colorado for an immersive experience of learning, networking, and collaboration.
Learn more or register today!
COCPA Office Transition: A Strategic Move Toward MemberCentered Priorities
The Colorado Society of CPAs has officially vacated its previous office space, marking an intentional shift in how we operate and allocate resources. This transition is part of a broader strategy to reduce our physical footprint and reinvest more directly in member priorities – programming, advocacy, and services that deliver the greatest impact.
Although construction on our new office suite, at Denver’s Galleria Office Towers just north of I-25 on Colorado Blvd., is not yet complete, we have already begun utilizing shared spaces within the new building. We recently hosted our Not-for-Profit Conference in the building’s conference center, and we continue to hold meetings and collaborative sessions in the facility’s open and inviting common areas. The amenities available at this location – such as the on-site coffee shop and shared workspaces – have provided a productive and welcoming environment for both staff and guests. These early experiences confirm the value and potential of this flexible, member-focused approach to space and operations.
While we await the completion of our permanent office space, we remain fully operational and committed to advancing the profession. This move reflects more than a change of address; it reflects a renewed commitment to thoughtful stewardship and strategic alignment with the evolving needs of Colorado’s CPA community.
We look forward to officially welcoming members and partners into our new space in the near future. Visit our blog for more information, and watch cocpa.org for further details as the move approaches.
AICPA NEWS
MQ&A with AICPA’s New CEO: What Mark Koziel Wants You to Know
This past January, a new CEO of the American Institute of CPAs and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants took the reins from long-time leader Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA.
ark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, hit the ground running to get acclimated to his new position. This isn’t his first experience with this global Association — prior, he worked with the AICPA for 15 years in multiple capacities before accepting a role as president and CEO of Allinial Global, where he worked from 2020 to 2024 until being selected as Barry’s successor.
This past spring, Mark sat down with Indiana CPA Society staff to share what he’s most looking forward to as he moves the Association and the CPA profession into the future.
WHAT EXCITED YOU MOST ABOUT STEPPING INTO THE ROLE OF CEO FOR THE AICPA?
From the start, I have absolutely loved the CPA profession. I actively promote and encourage others to consider a career in this great profession. I’ve been fortunate to encounter and accomplish many things, gaining experience in public accounting, corporate finance, politics, and public affairs.
For the past five years, I served as CEO of an international association of firms with $6 billion in revenues. When I left the Association in 2020, I didn’t expect to become its CEO, but my international experience made me a strong candidate. Since WWII, there have only been five CEOs of this esteemed organization.
It is an honor and privilege to serve. I do not take the role lightly, and I am committed to advancing the profession to serve the public interest and meet market demands.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN YOUR FIRST YEAR?
1. Additional pathway to CPA licensure
First and foremost, advancing discussions already in the market to create an additional pathway to licensure. Creating flexibility for those wrestling with the time and cost of
education is critical. This conversation has been going on far too long. It was clear that state societies, state boards of accountancy, and members in firms and businesses wanted to see this happen.
Even before I started, the team was working on ways to support that. Education is important, as is experience and examination. We will continue to explore how competencies fit into the ongoing health of our profession while maintaining what the public expects of us. I worry about mobility but have said we need to help our members navigate it and solve for it as quickly as we can.
Meanwhile, there is much more outside of licensure that needs to be done to shore up accounting talent, including continuing to examine firm business models.
2. Reconnecting with members and listening
We started an email address, AskMark@aicpa-cima.com, and have thus far received just shy of 500 responses — and I’ve responded to all of them. It’s important that we listen and react to members’ needs. For state societies and the AICPA, we have the challenge of keeping the profession self-regulated and having challenging standards to make sure we set the bar high.
But we are also here to serve our members, and I’d like to lean into that a little more. I’ve said for years, our members seem to remember more what we do to them, not for them. I’d like to do more for members. One thing we’re discussing is more focused communities. More on that in the short term.
3. Reconnecting with team members
I plan to check in regularly to make sure we stay focused on our strategic direction to help our members. It’s a great team, and I’ve missed being part of a larger organization. I’ve been working hard … to reconnect and look for ways to make their jobs easier, so they serve our members better.
There is much more outside of licensure that needs to be done to shore up accounting talent, including continuing to examine firm business models.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF THE ROLE SO FAR?
I regularly receive requests to comment on the Washington, D.C., landscape for our U.S. members, as well as for our professionals worldwide and other accountancy bodies seeking guidance on their readings.
The political landscape is certainly interesting and, dare I say, challenging? During my initial days, the team has been focused on securing meetings with key figures in Washington and globally. It’s a challenging task because the names keep changing and the topics we need to discuss seem to shift by the hour. Working to keep up with the current uncertainty has certainly been at the forefront. Our Washington team has done a great job with it, but I worry greatly that our members might not get the support they need from the IRS based on the current landscape. Keeping up with regulatory changes has been the greatest challenge and will hopefully settle in the second half of the year.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE NEAR FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION?
As I mentioned before, the CPA profession is the greatest profession in the world! I’m excited to see it continue and will do my best to help shape the future. There are many opportunities to advance this greatness. We need to focus on increasing the pipeline, building on the work of the National Pipeline Advisory Group, and collaborating with states. Practice changes and helping firms grow through additional services are crucial.
ESG and sustainability remain important, but there’s much more. Artificial intelligence will reduce mundane tasks, allowing us to focus on complex, client-facing work.
Expanded services like client advisory services (CAS) enable us to be trusted advisers. New audit tools will add value by providing insights beyond standard reports. We can help Main Street small businesses simplify reporting and oversight. Creating futureready finance professionals with the Finance Leadership Program is essential.
The list goes on, and there’s no shortage of opportunities. That’s what keeps me excited about the future.
Reprinted with permission from the Indiana CPA Society
Above left: In his free time, Koziel enjoys cruising around with his wife, Maryann, and their dog, Ozzie. Above right: Koziel participates in a virtual meet-and-greet interview with a senior reporter at CFO Brew.
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AN UPDATE ON Current Developments in the Government Finance Sector
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WAll Feedback is a Gift
BY A. TOM HALL, CPA, CFA
hen I worked at a large investment firm several years ago, a woman on my team was reasonably talented and good at her job. She had many valuable skills and excelled at things that were a struggle for others.
However, she had one major flaw that became a real problem: She would resist any feedback that wasn’t positive. Our firm conducted annual performance reviews, as most firms do. Most of us know that this is a time when you should be expecting your boss to tell you not only the good things that you’re doing but also the areas in which you need improvement. We should welcome this and be prepared for it.
This employee clearly wasn’t prepared for it and would push back and become defensive at any negative or otherwise critical feedback. She would either dismiss it as untrue or claim that it wasn’t a big deal. At times, this made her very difficult to work with. This was easily her single most memorable quality, overshadowing all the other good traits and skills she had and the good things that she brought to the company.
SEEK FEEDBACK, TAKE THE GOOD AND THE BAD
We are often already acutely aware of our own weaknesses, but occasionally it
requires someone else to see and bring to our attention that to which we might be blind.
My advice is to not only receive feedback graciously, unlike the employee described above, but also to seek it out – to eat it for breakfast! All feedback is a gift, especially the kind that you don’t really want to hear, the kind that stings just a bit.
When someone gives you critical feedback that hurts, you should thank them, because they have helped you to improve. Getting better, making yourself more valuable and useful, and growing daily should be your No. 1 goal in life. Thank them because all feedback is a gift, and that’s what we do when we receive a gift.
FEEDBACK IS EVERYWHERE IF YOU’RE LISTENING
You are constantly receiving feedback from someone or something – friends, family, roommates, professors, supervisors, strangers, even your enemies. Sometimes your own body gives you feedback, and sometimes it comes from your life experiences.
Feedback represents an opportunity to learn something, so pay attention and don’t dismiss it. If you’re not willing to be taught, you can’t learn. You want the feedback, because when someone stops giving you critical feedback (and it’s often someone who really cares
about you and wants you to improve), it can mean that they’ve given up on you because you refuse to listen and receive their gift.
Don’t ignore feedback because it comes from any of the following sources:
• Someone you don’t like
• Someone you think doesn’t like you
• Someone you think is just trying to be mean
• Someone who is lousy at giving feedback (for example, they lack tact or communicate poorly)
Once you get over your initial inclination to dismiss this feedback as irrelevant, ask yourself, “Is there any truth to what they are saying?” Some of the most valuable feedback you’ll ever receive may come from one of these sources.
FEEDBACK CAN MAKE A LIFELONG DIFFERENCE
I had a professor in college who was also a businessman. He told the story of an employee on his team who had a serious problem: He stank! He didn’t “stink” as an employee, he actually had a terrible body odor problem.
My professor said the employee smelled like a dirty, wet dog, and employees complained so much that he had no choice but to confront the man. He did
his best to provide this critical feedback as tactfully and kindly as possible, but the man became very upset, defensive, and eventually left the company.
About two years later, my professor saw this man walking toward him on the sidewalk downtown. The man approached my professor, who thought he was about to get punched in the face. Instead, the man smiled, shook my professor’s hand, and said, “Thank you so much for telling me even though it must have been very difficult to do so. Not even my wife told me about the problem. My life has changed so much for the better since then.”
Although the man had not initially received the feedback graciously, he came to realize that this extremely “unwanted criticism” was infinitely valuable.
IMPROVE YOUR ODDS FOR SUCCESS
If you can’t master the important skill of graciously receiving and seeking feedback, life will likely be hard for you. Your career might eventually plateau, you might end up losing friends, relationships in your life might suffer, and you will fail to even come close to your wonderful potential. Remember: all feedback is a gift. Make sure you’re treating it as such.
With substantial experience in both public accounting and industry, Tom Hall, CPA, CFA, is an Associate Professor of the Practice with the University of Denver School of Accountancy, and a regular contributor to NewsAccount. Reach him at tom.hall@du.edu.
The COCPA Emerging Professionals Initiative Committee (EPIC) unites students and emerging professionals through events, resources, and programs to support your professional growth.
For more information, visit COCPA's EPIC web page .
"And when they see that cart coming down the halls, that’s it. It’s like holding up popcorn in Central Park and 12,000 pigeons descending on you. It’s so great."
Bill Lajoie Creates Smiles and Community with Cookies and Caffeine
BY NATALIE ROONEY
COCPA Life Member Bill Lajoie, CPA, has been creating smiles – and maybe a few caffeine jitters – for 22 years in the halls of Children’s Hospital of Colorado.
On any given Tuesday, you might see Bill Lajoie pushing a huge cart emblazoned with the Harley Davidson logo down the halls of Children’s Hospital, passing out treats to the dedicated doctors and nurses caring for Colorado’s sickest kids.
The program hasn’t actually had a formal name all these years. “The nurses just say, ‘Bill’s coming by today,’” Lajoie chuckles. “And when they see that cart coming down the halls, that’s it. It’s like holding up popcorn in Central Park and 12,000 pigeons descending on you. It’s so great.”
Named or not, Lajoie and his cart are a beloved fixture as he moves through the hallways, passing out the goodies, visiting with the nurses, and hearing their stories.
“So many of them have said they work every Tuesday because they want to see me,” Lajoie laughs, adding, “Really though, it’s not so much me as the opportunity to come over and take a break. Their jobs are so stressful.
“In the CPA world,” he continues, “you go through intense, stressful periods, but these folks are holding someone’s health, and sometimes that person’s life, in their hands every day. I always tell them they are the hospital’s guardian angels. To be able to take a break is really important to them.”
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The idea for the program took root more than two decades ago at the hospital’s former location, when Lajoie and other volunteers began serving coffee and iced tea. Back then, Lajoie could go right into patients’ rooms as he made his rounds.
“Over the years, I gradually got to know so many of the staff and families, and I established a rapport with them,” Lajoie reflects.
The program grew when a donor annually gifted the program with hundreds of boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and Lajoie started passing out cookies in addition to the coffee and tea.
When the supply of Girl Scout cookies ran out, another donor, who worked for the Starbucks regional baker, came through with a new supply of cookies and treats – more than 300 to pass out each week. “That’s a lot!” Lajoie says. “Those two donors made all of it possible.”
And then, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
For more than two years, Lajoie’s cart was sidelined. “My activity involves food, and the hospital had to shut us down,” he says.
By 2023, however, Lajoie was back in business – albeit, with a few post-pandemic restrictions. “I couldn’t go into patient rooms, but I could pass by the rooms,” he explains. “If there’s a parent, I can ask if they want to come out and get a cookie or coffee, but now the focus is really on the nurses and doctors.”
THE JOY IN MAKING SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY
Lajoie has always enjoyed volunteering with kids. He coached his son’s sports teams, and when his kids were out of the nest, he began volunteering at Children’s Hospital. Lajoie has also volunteered with various wellness programs through the cardiology department and special fundraising events. Eventually, the cookies and coffee program became his primary focus.
The Harley Davidson owners’ group, already heavily involved in hospital volunteer activities, including its annual toy ride and drive, built a cart for Lajoie and other volunteers to use back in the coffee-and-tea-only days, and
were delighted when the program went “next level” with the cookie distribution.
Lajoie says the Harley Davidson cart is a big conversation starter. “At least once a month, one of the patient families comes out and tells me their dad has a Harley and they want to take photos of it,” he says. “They just love it.”
While passing out the treats is fun, Lajoie says it’s the relationships he has formed with the staff over the years that are the most heartwarming. “It has been amazing to get to know them,” he reflects. “After a while, it’s not just asking ‘what would you like today?’ You learn about them, their families, and what they do outside of the hospital.”
One nurse supervisor shared with Lajoie that her son was signing a letter of intent to play college baseball. “It becomes very personal after a while,” Lajoie adds. “If I’m out of town and miss a week, they worry!”
Lajoie has continued to return to the hospital year after year because of what he personally gets out of helping others. “There are just so many things in life that you enjoy in different ways, whether that’s something intellectual like reading a good book, or something you accomplish in your career,” he says.
“But the thing about going to Children’s is that it’s a continual, heartwarming segment of your life – an important chapter. Every time I leave that place, no matter how tired I was when I walked in, I feel a lot better when I walk out because of the difference I made in someone’s life, even if it’s only for five minutes.”
He recounts the story of a young patient walking the halls with his dad to stretch their legs. “He looked at the stack of cookies for at least two minutes before making his choice, and then his dad said, ‘You made his whole day!’ You remember something like that. You get that feedback, and you feel like you’ve done something. It’s not earth shaking, but it’s a heart experience. It means so much.”
COVERING THE COST OF COOKIE CRAVINGS
The pandemic didn’t just change the way Lajoie delivers his treats. Something else changed, as well. Now, without a sponsor who donates the treats, Lajoie is covering the cost of the baked goods out of his own pocket, along with donations from Haynie & Company, the firm that purchased his practice prior to his retirement, and Matt Carriglitto at HRTH LLC. Lajoie emphasizes, “Without Nick Warnick at Haynie and Matt, the cart activity would not exist.”
Each week, Lajoie heads to Manna Bakery & Deli in Littleton to purchase 10 dozen cookies. The smaller number of cookies means he can’t cover the hospital the way he used to or in the way he’d like. “There just aren’t enough items to go around,” he says. “If I can get more sponsors, I can cover the whole hospital.”
Currently, he can cover the sixth floor, the neonatal intensive care unit on the fourth floor, and part of the pediatric intensive care unit on the third floor. “Those intensive care units have some of the most stressful situations,” he says.
He’d also like to expand to include the newer children’s hospital campus in Littleton. “The No. 1 goal on my to-do list is to expand,” he says. “I’m dreaming bigger dreams.”
If you would like to donate to Lajoie’s cookies and caffeine program at Children’s Hospital, reach out to him at wgl1211@aol.com or call 303-324-0703.
It's the relationships that Lajoie has formed with Children's Hospital staff over the years that are the most heartwarming to him.
Author John Green Examines Global Health Equity Through the Lens of Tuberculosis
BY CAITLYN O’NEIL, CPA, MT
Best known for his novels like The Fault in Our Stars, author John Green shifts focus in his nonfiction work, Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection. In this powerful book, Green dives into one of the world’s deadliest — and inequitable — infections: tuberculosis (TB).
While TB may seem like a distant or outdated disease to many in the United States, it remains a leading global killer, taking more than a million lives annually. Green’s exploration highlights a central theme of inequality: the way poverty, geography, and biased systemic influence who receives care — and who doesn’t.
Green’s connection to the issue began with a personal story — meeting a young boy named Henry in Sierra Leone. Henry had a form of antibiotic-resistant TB but lacked access to life-saving medication due to its cost. Thanks to the efforts of the nonprofit Partners in Health, Henry received treatment and recovered — a rare outcome for patients in similar circumstances. The book underscores how social and economic status have shaped historic and modern perceptions of TB. Once romanticized as “consumption” when it afflicted the wealthy, TB became stigma-
tized as a “disease of poverty” as it spread through overcrowded, underserved communities. Even as treatments were developed, access remained — and still remains — deeply unequal.
Everything is Tuberculosis is a sobering reminder that injustice takes many forms — from disparities in medical care to the quiet, systemic decisions that determine whose lives are valued.
Green’s message extends far beyond healthcare: Addressing inequity requires intention, investment, and the courage to challenge outdated narratives. Whether in public health or accounting, equity isn’t a side issue — it’s foundational.
Caitlyn O’Neil, CPA, MT, is a past member of the COCPA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the Society’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Click here to learn more about the DE&I Committee’s activities.
By Women. For Women.
WOMEN’S SUMMIT
Resilience: Bending with Grace, Rising with Power
AUGUST 22, 2025 • DENVER, CO • IN-PERSON & ONLINE
This annual event provides practical strategies for women to enhance their personal and professional development.
It’s a unique opportunity to connect female CPAs from across all industries to discuss issues relevant to women. With so many successful, professional women in one place, attendees can easily connect, engage, and gain new perspectives.
Attendees receive 2 hours of ethics CPE credit
Register to attend this important event: cocpa.org/summit
Key Sessions
Rising with Resilience: How to Lead Yourself (and others) Through Hard Things
Smart Tech, Smarter You: Owning Your Value in the Age of AI
Life on a 5-Second Delay: Ethics Lessons Learned from Lifelong Hearing Loss
Elevating Your Impact and Influence
How AI Can Help Accountants Gain Efficiency: Three Practical Examples
These days, it seems like everywhere you look, generative AI is being touted as a transformative tool across industries, including accounting. However, many accountants are still uncertain about how AI fits into their roles and how to use it in daily tasks.
To help clear up some of this uncertainty, here we define the basics of generative AI, explore common tools, discuss what generative AI can and can’t do, and share practical examples of how to use AI in accounting.
Let’s start with the basics.
WHAT IS GENERATIVE AI?
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content by learning patterns from the data it’s trained on. Text-based generative AI is built on large language models (LLMs), which are artificial intelligence systems trained on vast amounts of text to analyze and generate human-like language. LLMs use deep learning techniques to recognize patterns, context, and structure in text, enabling them to perform tasks such as text generation, translation, summarization, and answering questions. Examples of LLMs include OpenAI’s GPT series (like GPT-4, used in ChatGPT) and Google’s BERT and PaLM. While LLMs are powerful tools for certain tasks, their performance depends on the quality of their training data, and they may not always provide accurate or contextually relevant responses. That’s because LLMs don’t “understand” the context of the question or answer but rather predict what word should come next based on learned patterns.
Generative AI can help you work more quickly and efficiently, but it can’t replace human judgment or knowledge.
POPULAR GENERATIVE AI TOOLS
There’s a growing number of generative AI tools, although many rely on OpenAI’s models. Let’s go over some of the most common tools you might use as an accountant.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI to produce human-like text based on user prompts.
ChatGPT is trained on massive amounts of text data from books, articles, websites, and other sources to learn language patterns. When a user provides a prompt, ChatGPT analyzes the input and generates an output by predicting the most likely sequence of words based on the context.
By processing large amounts of text data, ChatGPT can generate content quickly, creating responses or drafts almost instantly. This makes it an efficient tool for tasks like summarizing reports or drafting communications.
ChatGPT’s interface is structured like an instant messenger where you can message back and forth with the system. One of ChatGPT’s strengths is maintaining context over long conversations or paragraphs. This means you can ask follow-up questions
or request more details. Additionally, ChatGPT can adapt the output based on your prompts, generating content in the style, tone, and format that you define.
While ChatGPT is good at generating human-like content, it’s important to note that it does not understand language in the way humans do. Instead, it predicts and mimics patterns based on training data, which is why human oversight is crucial for ensuring accuracy and context.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft 365 applications and Microsoft Graph. It helps users automate routine tasks, analyze data, generate reports, and create content.
For example, in Word, you can use Copilot to create outlines and drafts. In PowerPoint, you can use it to generate slides using content from your existing documents. And in Excel, you can leverage it to analyze trends, create data visualizations, generate conditional formatting, and develop pivot tables.
Additionally, Copilot is integrated into Outlook and Teams, helping you write email drafts, summarize email threads and meeting discussions, and suggest action items.
One of the key strengths of Copilot is that it connects ChatGPT to your business data. This means it can leverage your business context to generate tailored content, rather than relying solely on the data on which ChatGPT is trained.
However, because it’s using the same predictive model as ChatGPT, the output won’t always be accurate or relevant, so it still requires human oversight to refine the content.
DEMYSTIFYING AI IN ACCOUNTING
Many of us in the accounting industry are trying to keep up with AI and understand its role as new models become available and companies like NetSuite and Microsoft incorporate them into their products.
With all the claims of AI transforming how we do business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But by learning more about AI and LLMs, we can gain a better understanding of how AI tools can actually help accountants with daily tasks.
To that end, let’s go a little deeper into what generative AI, particularly LLMs, can and can’t do.
WHAT LLMS CAN’T DO
• Understand context outside of training data: Generative AI relies on the data sets on which it’s trained and the context that users provide. It can’t search the current internet or independently find outside data. So, if you ask a tool like ChatGPT about a current trend or new accounting standard, it could generate an answer that is factually incorrect and cite made-up sources. These false answers are called “hallucinations.”
• Handle complex computations: There are many computational algorithms that are developed specifically to perform complex calculations. These algorithms are rules-based, meaning they follow specific instructions. LLMs, on the
other hand, use pattern recognition and are not designed to handle precise calculations. ChatGPT might infer from its data set that 2 + 2 = 4, but for more complex calculations, it’s likely to generate hallucinations or incorrect answers.
• Strategize: As we mentioned earlier, LLMs don’t understand information but rather use prediction to generate content. This means you can’t rely on them to understand your business goals and context or use reasoning to develop strategies.
• Replace accountants: Due to all the limitations we’ve just discussed, generative AI can’t replace the skills that accountants bring to the workplace or the tools they use, like accounting software. However, AI tools can help accountants save time on certain tasks, as we’ll discuss next.
WHAT LLMS CAN DO
• Summarize and abstract data: One of the most valuable uses of LLMs is that you can upload documents or data sets and ask them to abstract specific data, identify patterns, create forecasts, or flag anomalies. For example, generative AI tools can analyze contracts and extract key information or analyze a data set and identify outliers.
• Compose communications: LLMs are built to generate text that sounds human. This makes them helpful when it comes to drafting communications such as meeting summaries, analysis explanations, or emails. This cuts down the time it takes to write communications by giving you a first draft that you can refine and edit to fit your needs.
• Respond to routine client queries: Another popular use of generative AI is the development of chatbots to respond to routine queries from customers or clients. You can use an AI chatbot to answer frequently asked questions or help users navigate your website or platform.
• Help accountants work more efficiently: By reducing the time it takes to perform the tasks mentioned above, generative AI has the potential to help accountants work more efficiently. These time-saving features give you more time to develop strategies, perform deep analysis, and make an impact on your business.
THREE PRACTICAL WAYS TO USE GENERATIVE AI IN ACCOUNTING
Now that we’ve dispelled some of the misconceptions around working with generative AI, let’s get into specific practical applications. Here are three examples of how AI can help accountants work more efficiently.
Lease Abstraction
Accountants can leverage generative AI to abstract data from lease contracts and generate new leases in your lease accounting software.
This can be a huge time saver for companies with a large number of leases. Instead of manually entering data such as dates, monthly payments, and future uplifts, you can upload the contract, and the AI tool will identify the key figures and enter them into the correct fields.
TECHNOLOGY
Fixed Asset Creation
Similar to lease abstraction, you can use AI in your fixed asset management software to automatically create new assets in the system, based on transactions. The AI tool can abstract key data and plug it into the appropriate fields, speeding up asset creation. This is especially valuable for businesses with a large number of assets.
Flux Analysis Explanations
Writing flux analysis explanations can be a time-consuming task that adds to an already lengthy month-end close process. However, generative AI can do it in seconds.
With a ChatGPT integration in your close accounting software, you can leverage the AI tool to identify large transactions, analyze the transaction history, and draft an explanation for the variance. You can improve the explanation by giving ChatGPT additional context it can’t glean from the transaction history, like explaining that there was a drop in sales in 2020.
AI INTEGRATIONS IN ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE
The practical uses of AI in accounting that we mention here rely on the integration of AI tools into your existing systems. But don’t worry; you don’t have to become a developer or AI expert to incorporate AI into your accounting workflows.
Instead, you can rely on accounting software that already incorporates tools like ChatGPT to make your processes more efficient. This allows you to seamlessly adopt AI in your day-to-day work without having to invest in a new AI tool or learn how to integrate it with other systems.
Netgain’s accounting software solutions incorporate AI, so you can start working more efficiently right away.
AI capabilities include:
• NetLease lease abstraction from contracts
• NetAsset fixed asset creation from transactions
• NetClose flux analysis explanations using ChatGPT
These AI tools, combined with rules-based automation, streamline accounting workflows and help accounting teams reduce repetitive manual tasks, freeing up time for more value-additive work.
COCPA Silver Partner Netgain empowers accounting teams to eliminate broken and inefficient operations and gain back valuable time with modern technology and automation. Its tools help businesses of all shapes and sizes to become more confident, agile, and capable of rapidly coming to clear financial decisions fueled by accurate, precise financial insights. Learn more at netgain.tech
TECHNOLOGY USERS GROUP
Looking for an opportunity to connect with your COCPA colleagues to discuss technology, its impact on the accounting profession, and future trends? Click here or contact Stacy Svendsen at stacy@cocpa.org to learn more about the COCPA Technology Users Group.
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY
Welcome, New COCPA Members
Welcome, New COCPA Members
The COCPA welcomes the following new members, who joined between March and May 2025.
The COCPA welcomes the following new members, who joined between September and November 2024.
FELLOW MEMBERS
Tanner Augustine
Rhonda Baker
FELLOW MEMBERS
Christopher Bealer
Michael Attridge
Ryan Berry
Lillian Avery
Devra Block
Andy Avila
Know any of these members? Reach out and welcome them to our community!
Know any of these members? Reach out and welcome them to our community!
Hans "Tyler"
Fredericksen
Desi Gaynier
Bill Evert
Pauline Halgas
Laura Flynn
Marissa Hammers
Matthew Folgers
Peighton Miyasaki
Nathaniel "Chance"
Morford
Sherri Kuhn
Zhanna Overchuk
Suraj Kumar
Elliot Parks
Will Lanehart
Christopher Harless
Kari Barber
Candice Bridgers
Luke Burgett
Courtney Barratt
Lisa Carroll
Christopher Barratt
Travis "TJ" Garhart
Wesley Harper
Kevin Gay
Trevor Hester
Christopher Gentry
Lauren Parrott
Theresa Laurienti
Katherine Peters
Brian Lawrie
Kendall Richter
Lauren Levy
Johnathan Howland
Esteban Rosas
Scott Barry
Amy Carson
Monica Gerard
Megan Lewis
Tammy Nelson
Emily Newton
Sultan Aldhafiri
Jessica Ng Loo
Olivia Anderson
Jason Nicholson
Visit the COCPA Member Directory at cocpa.org/member-directory.
Click here to visit the COCPA Member Directory
STUDENT MEMBERS
Cole Siders
Ryan Swift
Samantha Hicks
Anna Tam
Konrad Hong-Vu
Margaret Thayer
Jonathon Noolas
Andine Archibald
Noah Kegley
Jennifer Todling
Christine O'Connor
Parker Ayres
Ruth Kellett
Sydney Turner
William Baker
Kristina Oswald
Sabrina Kessler
Jennifer Ulrich
Megan Bartsch
Amanda Clark
Shelly Clark
Shane Bohlender
Jacqueline Corcoran
Stephanie Cantrell
Dawn Culhane
Grace Carlson
David Dassler
Blake Chidester
Robert "Nick"
Campbell Cooksey
Daugherty
Vincent Coppola
Janelle Dinsmore
Heather Crum
Ryan Donahue
William Daniel
Kevin Donofrio
Carl Daugherty
Cecilia Engelbrecht
Nicholas DiLuca
Roger Fesmire
Kaycee Dolan
Hunter Flogel
Katherine Doyle
William Huesing
Kristen Ross
Michael Gibson
Erica Hunt
Stephanie Grasic
Erik Jensen
Emilee Gribben
Sonja Kuranz
Christie Guthrie
Cristen Lawton
Darlene Hartmann
Oliver Little
Kelsi Rostis
Jessica Long
Andrew Smith
Cecily Lopez
Tyler Sterk
Tingwei Ma
Julia Thomas
Julianne Malek
Elle Otten
Talon Beagle
Matt Palen
Elizabeth Blackie
Debra Patterson
Larkin Burbage
Jessica Perez
Denise Carson
Seth Phillips
Owen Lovell
Jose Vega Cancel
Nicholas Vehorn
Christina "Nina"
Manalastas
Dyess Verfurth
Rachel Mikelson
Emily Visaez Andarcia
Kelsey Walla
Katie Hettinger
Graham Leachman
Carmine Lonardo
Megan Hollingsworth
Wesley Tipton
Stephen Mann
Paul Udoni
Christopher Manuszak
Andrea Lovelady
T Holman
Sheryl Maroney
Jaclyn Holowecky
Katelin Wheeler
Meredith Marchand
John Whitney
Lance McMahon
Nicole Jackson
Gabriel Martinez
Michael Mattivi
Deborah Jackson
Preston Young
Ryan McNamee
Peter Zessos
Jerrod Monsees
Jada Jacques
Morgan Mauricio
Danielle Keen
Shayne McCullough
Laura McLaughlin
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Giselle Abundez
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Chase Brown
Erin O'Connor
Tianna Poeck
Yihong Zhu
Michael Moran
Willie Mullin
Michelle Zuckerman
STUDENT MEMBERS
Jenise Alexander
Holly Bacon
Jacob Chabot
Mikaela Mueller
Gabriel Quezada
Sierra Wallace
Brandon Chapman
Alexander Ritter
Alexia Chavez
Todd Roberts
Caden Robinson
Kyle Chu
Tessa Schneider
Luke Collett
Andrew Schulz
Jeanette Conde
Danielle Shafer
Joseph Ivan Cooper
Kimberly Sheahan
Kenneth Cortes
Grayson Daley
Robert Dortch
Daniel Graney
Kaylea Esser
Jarec Henderson
Nicole Garcia
James Welch
Makayla Nash
Alec Nelson
Julia Wilcox
Lukas Wilson
Filomeno Ochoa
Mark Wise
Hadley Olsen
Liuzhe Zhang
Dallas Pierce
Nicole Zichterman
Margaret "Libby" Pippin
Kseniya Potekhina
Alyssa Quartuccio
Haleigh Richey
Tristana Rivera
Tanner Rozek
Cecilia Rodriguez
Kristal Sandoval
Walter Bonk
Jesus "David" Compean
Serenity DeFrancesco
Erik Clarke
Morgan Crabtree
Matthew Farley
David Erickson
Sajit Khadka
Victoria Gheorghe
Lucien Layne
Paul Heffner
Kierstyn Leo
Oscar Lomeli
Andrew Kwon
Elke Lintukorpi
Marty MacCallum
Katelyn Miller
Josie Lolli
Anas Nafie
Jesiah Lopez
Orlando Lopez
Emma Schwarz
Cory Rasmussen
Leila Boland
Armando Maqueda
Sydney Skiles
Garcia
Erica Talley
Hannah Rollins
Victoria Cardona Meza
Annalise Roth
Elizabeth Cihacek
Chad Martin
Adna Tipura
Evan Sheehan
Jasmine Cook
Jonathan Meldrum
Elisha Titre
Doha Shohba
Rachel Cox
Ali Vance
Sheryl Moriarty
Jacob Sprinkle
Vince Viruni
John Nicholas
Christopher Dawson
Carlie Sweckard
Madeline Duffield
Mark Nyman
Brianna Weatherspoon
Megan Valdez
Delaney Whalen
Augustus Parsonage
Isenia Fregoso
Kunipher Xie
Jonathan Wintenburg
Elizabeth "Libby" Peter
Nicole Gaynor
GET INVOLVED GET CONNECTED
Courtney Hunt
Dawn Gibson
Luis Rosa
Vivian Siewert
Kiersten Johnson
Brigitta Goetsch
Sarah Rose
Avrahm Skor
Ryan Kertz
Kendall Grace
Benjamin Sauter
Camille Lamarque
Rodrigo Granillo Ibanez
Kendall Madine
Logan Grout
Addie Shipley
Alleepra Stutzman
Taylor Wakeen
Kawika Watt
Benjamin Michaels
Kyle Hammond
Michael Portman
Tristan Hanrath
Thomas Rauchut
Kathryn Havens
Janette Rodriguez Ibanez
Lok Ching Wong
Mabrion White
Levi Wyrick
Kathleen Wortman
Kyler Yarnell
Madison Wright
New members, are you looking for a way to get involved, meet others, and connect with your new professional community? Whether your passion is serving on a committee, participating in a special-interest group, or bettering your community, find the opportunity that speaks to you and join in! For more information on volunteering, contact Stacy Svendsen at stacy@cocpa.org.
Updates and Opportunities Related to COCPA Committees, Working Groups, and Boards
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE
Don’t miss the remaining sessions in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee’s For ME Series, “Account for Your Health,” featuring COCPA member and certified nutritional therapist Kaitlin Borncamp, CPA, NTP.
Each of the following independent sessions is free to COCPA members and offer one hour of CPE credit:
Sept. 18: Brain Food – The CPA’s Guide to Optimizing Mental Health and Resilience Through Nutrition
Dec. 4: Sleep Smarter, Perform Better: The CPA’s Competitive Advantage for Energy & Productivity
Your colleagues are talking about this series! An attendee of one of the earlier sessions calls it “one of the most practical courses I’ve taken.”
Click here to see more from Kaitlin on what the Account for Your Health series offers. Register today for one or both sessions and learn how to optimize your health and thrive.
See page 20 for DE&I Committee member Caitlyn O’Neil’s article, “Author John Green Examines Global Health Equity Through the Lens of Tuberculosis.”
Visit the DE&I Committee web page for more information on this group’s activities
SUMMER OF FUN STRETCHES ACROSS COLORADO
New this year, Summer of Fun for Everyone has brought the fun to locations around Colorado, including Boulder/Longmont, Grand Junction, and southwest Colorado. Right around the corner is the Colorado Springs edition on July 23. Click here to register .
Members of the Emerging Professionals Initiative Committee (EPIC) recently met to connect and socialize with fellow accounting students and young professionals while learning Mahjong – a game of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck.
EPIC unites students and other emerging professionals through special events, resources, and programs to support your professional growth.
Visit the EPIC web page to learn more and get involved .
and connect with local colleagues.
Summer of Fun for Everyone: COCPA members gather in Boulder and Durango to enjoy the summer weather
MEMBER CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE
Cheers! In May, Society members kicked off the 2025 COCPA Summer of Fun , organized by the Member Connections Committee (MCC), with an evening of wine and conversation at Denver’s Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery. Following a Colorado Rockies game in late June, still to come in the Summer of Fun series are:
Bowling Lanes and Laughs, July 23, Bowlero Cherry Creek
Drive Your Connections: Golf and Great Conversations, Aug. 14, TopGolf Centennial
Visit the MCC web page to learn more about this group and how to get involved .
GROUP
As part of its ongoing commitment to helping those in the nonprofit community, the Nonprofit Working Group continued its partnership with the Colorado Nonprofit Association to host a highly attended virtual program, “Office Hours: Ask a CPA.”
Members Tiffany Knight, CPA, and Nathan Oberle, CPA, recently presented on the Form 990, followed by a Q&A period from participants. Questions pertained to:
• The best way to prepare for the 990 before the due date
• Free and low-cost accounting software options
• How to navigate Schedule O with a nonprofit undergoing significant change
• Whether a private auctioneer is the same as a professional fundraiser
Visit the Nonprofit Working Group web page to learn how to get involved .
TECHNOLOGY USERS GROUP
The Technology Users Group (TUG) presented two free, onehour webcast sessions in May, each worth one CPE credit:
• “Defend the Whole Kingdom or Just the Crown Jewels? Strategies for Optimized Scoping of Your Risk and Compliance Program,” presented by Mike Ellerhorst
• “Automating Data Flow for More Efficient Accounting Operations,” presented by Ali Vance
The Technology Users Group provides high-level tech presentations at its monthly online meetings. Visit the TUG web page to join this insiders group, led by COCPA Board Treasurer Jim Gilbert, CPA, CITP, CGMA, or learn about TUG’s upcoming technology-related CPE events.
COCPA ON THE WESTERN SLOPE
COCPA members on the Western Slope are busy meeting to enhance their learning, share solutions, and connect with colleagues in the area.
Many thanks to Chris West, CPA, PFS, CEO of DWC CPAs and Advisors, who this past spring presented ”Create Success, Fulfillment, and Sustainability for Your Accounting Firm.”
Following the session, members gathered to mix and mingle at the Maison la Belle Vie Winery in Palisade.
Kudos to Michael Brooks and Gary Hypes, who continue to plan these Western Slope-area events.
COCPA staff are working with regional member champions to plan gatherings across Colorado. Watch cocpa.org for details.
Click here to learn more about becoming a regional member champion to welcome new members and help bring programming and connection opportunities to your area. Contact Stacy Svendsen at stacy@cocpa.org for more information.
COCPA members kick off the 2025 Summer of Fun at Bigsby's Folly.
MOVERS & SHAKERS
John R. Faries, CPA, CUDE, was named vice president of finance and accounting for Credit Union West, based in Glendale, Ariz.
Jessica Kinnard, CPA, and Nathan VanDiggelen, CPA, were each elected partner with Forvis Mazars, LLP. Both work in the firm’s Denver office.
Paul Nocco, CPA, joined CohnReznick, Denver, as an assurance partner.
Randy Watkins, CPA, joined Laramie, Wyo.-based ClingerHagerman, LLC, as a partner. Watkins will continue to be based in Greeley and will spearhead the growth of the firm's Colorado practice.
DWC CPAs and Advisors, Grand Junction, promoted Amber L. Elsberry, CPA, CGMA, to financial controller. Tax senior Brian D. Berger recently earned his certified public accountant designation and obtained Colorado
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The COCPA is pleased to begin offering CPE credit for NewsAccount readership. To take advantage of this free member benefit, simply read the summer issue and register for the NewsAccount CPE self-study opportunity . Once logged in, you’ll be asked to complete the following online quiz, which reflects the content of the issue. Please note, question language and sequence may vary slightly.
Participants must earn a score of 70% or higher in order to receive CPE credit. NewsAccount exams are worth one credit hour each, for a maximum of four credit hours annually.
1. Which of the following is not listed as one of Alexie Tune’s professional priorities as Chair of the COCPA?
a. Promoting the CPA credential’s relevance
b. Expanding the Society’s scholarship fund for graduate students
c. Enhancing advocacy efforts at the state and national levels
d. Strengthening member engagement through networking and development programs
2. What early experience most significantly influenced Alexie Tune's leadership style and professional approach?
a. Her role as chair of the COCPA
b. Her chemistry coursework at Western Wyoming Community College
c. Her background as a classically trained pianist and Big Band performer
d. Her internship at Deloitte
3. What is the central premise of Amy Vetter’s B³ Method?
a. Work harder to achieve faster promotions
b. Business success requires strict adherence to tradition
c. Outsourcing and automation are the keys to fulfillment
d. When people thrive, businesses thrive
4. According to Amy Vetter, what is essential for leaders who want to foster a culture of connected leadership?
a. Regular performance reviews and promotions
b. A surface-level focus on employee satisfaction
c. Personal self-reflection and addressing internal belief systems
d. Eliminating KPIs to focus on well-being
5. What does Amy Vetter identify as a common but flawed belief during busy periods in the accounting profession?
a. Clients' happiness should take priority over employee well-being
b. More overtime always leads to higher productivity
c. Weekends off are only for entry-level staff
d. Mindfulness and business rigor are mutually exclusive
6. What was Mark Koziel's position immediately before becoming CEO of the AICPA and CIMA?
a. Chair of the National Pipeline Advisory Group
b. CFO of a Fortune 500 accounting firm
c. Director of Public Affairs at AICPA
d. President and CEO of Allinial Global
7. What is one of Mark Koziel’s top priorities in his first year as AICPA CEO?
a. Eliminating the CPA exam requirement
b. Advancing an additional pathway to CPA licensure
c. Shifting AICPA's headquarters to Washington, D.C.
d. Replacing state boards of accountancy with a federal system
8. According to Mark Koziel, how will artificial intelligence (AI) impact the accounting profession?
a. By replacing the need for client advisory services
b. By increasing the number of manual tasks accountants must complete
c. By reducing mundane tasks and enabling focus on more complex, client-facing work
d. By eliminating the need for traditional audit tools
9. Which of the following tasks can generative AI perform effectively in accounting workflows?
a. Perform complex computational algorithms with high precision
b. Generate human-like text for communications and summaries
c. Strategize business goals and optimize longterm planning
d. Independently verify data using real-time internet access
10. What is a key benefit of integrating generative AI into lease abstraction tasks?
a. It enables accountants to automatically approve leases without oversight
b. It performs legal review and ensures compliance with lease regulations
c. It eliminates the need for any manual data entry or review
d. It extracts and populates key lease data, reducing manual entry time
11. Why is human oversight still important when using tools like ChatGPT in accounting?
a. ChatGPT charges fees for generating accurate responses
b. Generative AI tools require constant re-training by users
c. These tools may produce incorrect or misleading results without understanding context
d. AI tools can access private company data without permission
12. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Bill Lajoie's volunteer work at Children’s Hospital of Colorado?
a. It led to the suspension of his cart service for more than two years
b. It increased the number of cookies donated to the program
c. It allowed him to expand the program to more hospital floors
d. It introduced more opportunities to visit patients' rooms
13. According to author Tom Hall, what is one major reason people should welcome critical feedback?
a. It helps them avoid negative performance reviews
b. It allows them to correct others’ misperceptions
c. It provides opportunities to grow and improve
d. It demonstrates loyalty to their organization
14. What might it indicate when someone stops giving you feedback?
a. They believe you’ve reached your full potential
b. They’ve given up because you don’t listen
c. They want to avoid conflict in the workplace
d. They assume you already know what to improve
15. What major theme does best-selling author John Green explore in his book, Everything is Tuberculosis?
a. The effectiveness of modern antibiotics in curing viral diseases
b. The romanticization of infectious diseases in ancient literature
c. Global healthcare inequities in the treatment of tuberculosis
d. The influence of tuberculosis on early industrial labor laws
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